Choosing to send a child to a public or private school can be tough for parents of elementary, middle, and high school students. Data on whether public education is better can be challenging to find and overwhelming to understand while the cost of private school can be daunting. So how can parents weigh their options properly in the public versus private school debate?
According to Myra McGovern of the National Association of Independent Schools, it all comes down to what is best for each child. “The child’s individual needs should shape the choice for parents,” she says. This is a crucial point in the public versus private school debate.
So, is public or private school better? In this blog, we’ll unpack its benefits and drawbacks and hopefully offer you a clear understanding on what are the factors to consider when weighing the pros and cons of public school and private school.
Public Versus Private School Debate: The Price to Pay
One of the top considerations when deciding which school to enter is the cost of tuition. Let’s unpack the pros and cons of public school.
Public School
Every state runs a public school system that offers every child a free education. Public schools are run by the government and are subject to statutory law at the municipal, state, and federal levels. Parents should consider that free education is often accompanied by several legal issues related to the public versus private school debate and whether or not they should send their children to public schools.
The Cost of Public School
Public schools are funded by the federal and state governments. In America today, 90% of the children study in public schools. Private schools are comprised of both parochial and non-parochial private schools.
There is no tuition for students who live in their tax district. They can choose to charge that student tuition who lives outside of their district boundaries or they can deny admission outright. Since it has always been standard practice to collect fees for incidental services like lab use, lab transportation, sports and extracurricular activities, etc., tuition-free does not necessarily mean completely free. These are often referred to as “pay to play” fees, which are a consideration in the public versus private school debate.
Many times, students are required to participate in fundraisers, either by selling products or services to raise money for school events. This aspect also plays a role in the public versus private school debate.
The Cost of Private School
Most parents do not know that private education is worth $12,350. This is the average annual tuition among the nation’s 22,440 private K-12 schools. You can pay considerably more because prices vary greatly based on several different factors, contributing to the public versus private school debate.
So, is it worth paying for a private education? Some may answer, “Of course,” while others may disagree. It all depends on your finances, your values, and what you perceive as best for your family and child. However, before making the decision, you do need to consider what the private schools have to offer and exactly how they differ from the public schools. So let’s discuss the differences between the two in the public versus private school debate.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Public and Private Schools
When deciding between private and public schools, most parents share at least one common concern. The following are the most common considerations parents weigh in on the public versus private school debate:
Academic Reputation
One of the more important considerations when choosing between public vs. private schools is academic reputation. Academic standing can vary greatly in school systems. While many public schools excel, some lag behind expectations. This is a significant point in the public versus private school debate.
Usually, a parent’s concern and decision to move their child to a private school are marked by some perceived or statistically validated issue with a public school’s performance regarding the academic standard of education.
There is, of course, a general feeling that the academic requirements for the private schools are more challenging. However, Charter Schools and Magnet Schools within the public school system further erode this distinction between the public and the private schools. A school’s emphasis on college preparation is related to its status as an academic institution, which adds another layer to the public versus private school debate.
School Population
A school’s ability to conduct its academic goals can be linked to the overall size of the school and individual class sizes. Essentially, a school can be too large to operate effectively. Nonetheless, a small school may lack the funds to conduct specialized activities. Class size is another aspect that parents may look at while choosing a private or public school for their children. How many children will the teacher have in the classroom? What is the total student-to-teacher ratio?
Of course, it can also be a problem to run a school when it is too large, so making sure the school has a low student-teacher ratio is always a good idea. Class size and student-teacher ratio are frequent considerations in the public versus private school debate.
Safety and Atmosphere
Other factors that parents look into and then decide whether to stick with the public school system or opt for a private school are safety factors and the general atmosphere of the school. Although many public schools are completely safe, there are others in which private schools turn out to be a much better route to take a child. This could be because private schools are more exclusive about whom they allow in, thereby maintaining a safer learning environment. Safety concerns are a critical part of the public versus private school debate.
Specialized Programs
The special programs of parents differ depending on whether their children went to public schools vs. private schools. Programs for children with special needs, like academic or developmental needs, are more common in public schools since they must educate all kids. Special needs programs and other specialized services are often highlighted in the public versus private school debate.
Some private schools can offer special programs for gifted students but are less likely to have programs for kids with special needs unless the private school has a focus on that area. Other varieties of specialized programs exist as well, like a focus on the arts. Usually, only in a private setting can you find military, boarding, and non co-ed programs.
Location
For public schools, either you live in the zone of the public school of your choice, or you do not. If you do, you have no concerns. If you don’t, then you will need to decide if relocating your entire family is both desirable and feasible for the purpose of getting your children into the public school you would like. This consideration is another part of the public versus private school debate.
Many states, however, have implemented school choice programs that allow families to apply for admission to a district in which they do not live. Frequently, the district of residence or even the kid’s family pays tuition to the receiving district to offset the costs of educating the child. In any case, school choice programs afford some flexibility to parents who wish their child to attend a public school.
You will have to decide if the location of the private schools works out for your family. All public schools provide bus transportation to and from school. Some private schools offer bus services; others do not.
The Pros of Public School
The following are the advantages of studying in a public school:
No Tuition Fees:
- Public schools do not require tuition fees for attendance. This is a major point in the public versus private school debate.
Community Engagement:
- Children attend school with peers from their local community, making it easier to form friendships.
- Parents can meet and interact with other parents in the neighborhood. Community involvement is a crucial factor in the public versus private school debate.
Variety of Classes and Activities:
- Public schools often have more classrooms and offer a wider range of extracurricular activities and classes than many private schools. This variety is often highlighted in the public versus private school debate.
Cultural Diversity:
- Unlike some private schools that may focus on religion, public schools provide opportunities to engage with a variety of cultures and countries. Cultural exposure is an important aspect of the public versus private school debate.
Special Needs Accommodations:
- Higher likelihood of accommodating children with disabilities and providing services such as:
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication
- Speech therapy
- Physical, occupational, and behavior therapy
- Public schools often have better resources like athletic fields, swimming pools, art and music departments, and theaters.
- The availability of special needs resources is a significant consideration in the public versus private school debate.
Legal Enforcements and Individualized Education:
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates public schools to provide accommodations and cover individual learning needs.
- Public schools may offer more frequent assistance for children with special needs, including 504 plans or Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
Qualified and Experienced Teachers:
- According to a report from the National Center for Education Statistics, public school teachers are generally more experienced and better trained to teach students with special needs compared to private school teachers.
- Teachers are often certified based on IEP service hours.
Specialized Programs:
- Some public schools offer specialized programs that may interest and benefit children. The availability of these programs is another point in the public versus private school debate.
The Cons of Public School
Studying in a public school also has its downside. This may include the following:
Class Sizes:
- This is expected to be a common problem, as many communities are usually larger than many schools, which were structured to accommodate fewer students. The class sizes have increased due to budget cuts, making individual attention harder to give to some students. This issue is often discussed in the public versus private school debate.
Individualized Attention:
- Larger class sizes translate to less time for individualized attention. Your child probably won’t get the one-on-one care needed. This is a significant point in the public versus private school debate.
Disciplinary Problems:
- In some areas, there are more disciplinary problems in some public schools. The school may have fewer options for managing these issues.
Quality Variation:
- The quality of public schools can vary dramatically. Even within the same city, there could be vast differences in the quality of education available in different schools. This variation is a frequent topic in the public versus private school debate.
Educational Resources:
- Access to quality educational resources can be limited due to the funds available to the school.
Standardized Testing Pressure:
- Teachers face pressure to spend much time “teaching to the exams,” and students face the pressure of taking standardized tests.
Ensuring Individual Education:
- Though the law requires individual education from the school, you may need to be more active in ensuring your child gets all the resources necessary to succeed in school.
Support for Absences:
- If your child has been absent because of illness, medical procedures, or therapy, the school should work along with you to make sure the child doesn’t fall behind. You may need to intervene so that your child gets the right kind of help.
Safety Concerns:
- The safety of public schools has become a disturbing issue as many tragic disasters have happened over the past few years.
The Advantages of Private School
If you’re thinking about enrolling your child in a private school, here are a few reasons that may further solidify your choice:
Smaller Class Sizes:
- Smaller class sizes can afford more individualized attention, making classes much less daunting. The teacher can tailor which strategy best fits your child. This is often a point of discussion in the public versus private school debate.
Challenging Curriculum:
- Many private schools offer challenging curriculum opportunities that are good for high-achieving students.
School Values and Expectations:
- Their views on the number of subjects will reflect the basic values of the school. A private school might hold a lot more formality and expectations. This aspect is frequently mentioned in the public versus private school debate.
Religious Orientations:
- Some private schools have strong religious orientations, and such studies are incorporated into their curriculum.
Proper Resources:
- More emphasis on private schools is bound to interpret to proper resources, supplies, and better equipment.
Discipline:
- Private schools usually handle matters of indiscipline seriously because it’s easy to expel a student who does not behave.
Bullying:
- Bullying is mostly not accepted at private schools. Your child might find themselves more at home and more inclusive in a private school. The handling of bullying is often discussed in the public versus private school debate.
Teacher Autonomy:
- Private school teachers have less focus on teaching the test and more autonomy regarding the material they teach and how they teach it.
Collaboration for Illness or Therapy:
- If your child is missing school often because of illness or therapy, strong collaboration with smaller private schools may be possible. Remember, this is not always true, so do question the school about worst-case scenarios when you first have your initial visit. Be honest about your child’s condition.
Parental Involvement:
- Because the parents are responsible for the funding of their children’s education, more parents are usually involved in the schools.
Scholarships:
- Many private schools offer large scholarships to ensure more students have the opportunity to pursue higher education.
The Disadvantages of Private Schools
Studying in a private school also entails some drawbacks. Some of these are the following:
Special Needs Accommodations:
- There are different rules for teaching students with special needs, and some private schools may not be suitable for these children. The school you choose may not have the facilities to provide the help your child could need. This is a significant point in the public versus private school debate.
High Fees:
- The fees may be too high and could be a burden on the family’s budget. This financial aspect is often discussed in the public versus private school debate.
Diversity and Inclusivity:
- Particularly if you’re looking at a school with a high religious component, the student body can be less diverse. There will probably be fewer children with special needs in a private school. Diversity is a frequent topic in the public versus private school debate.
Admission Process:
- You have to apply to the school, and the administration picks you; admission isn’t automatic.
Religious Emphasis:
- Many schools that place a strong emphasis on religion scale down their secular education to make time for religious studies.
Absence and Illness:
- The law does not require the school to cooperate with a student absent due to illness. If this is of concern to you, resolve this issue with the school before you apply.
Socioeconomic Differences:
- As many students may be from wealthier backgrounds, children from poorer backgrounds may sometimes feel “out of place” compared to their classmates. This is among the most contentious disadvantages of private schools.
Limited Curriculum Options:
- Curriculum options can be few and far between in many private schools, especially in districts where public schools have extensive curriculum options.
Therapy Services:
- Many times, private school parents have to seek additional therapy on their own. For example, if a child needs speech therapy, this may not be provided in a private school.
Extracurricular Activities:
- There won’t be as much access to extracurricular activities and sports, especially in the case of smaller private schools.
Accreditation and Teacher Qualifications:
- The school may not be accredited. In that case, the teachers do not need to have a teaching degree or certification.
Acceptance of Students with Other Needs:
- Private schools do not have to accept children with other needs. Thus, your child may not be attending school with those in your neighborhood, making it more difficult for them to have friends in the area.
Entrance Exams:
- Students may need to pass an entrance exam to gain admission.
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